Chris Hyndman death prompts end to Steven and Chris show
Steven Sabados says “it’s impossible for me to even imagine” continuing the CBC-TV lifestyles show Steven and Chris without Chris Hyndman, his co-host and real-life partner who died suddenly earlier this month.
Ottawa-born, Newfoundland-raised Hyndman was found without vital signs in a laneway near the home he shared with partner Sabados on Aug. 3. Hyndman was 49 years old.
Sabados confirmed he would not continue with the popular program, marking its end, when he wrote a Facebook post Friday.
“Some of the best times in my life have been at the CBC — creating an incredible show with Christopher by my side and a fantastic team behind the scenes. That being said, it’s impossible for me to even imagine continuing the show without him. The CBC understands and supports my decision 100 per cent and I hope you can as well.”
Sabados and Hyndman met in 1988 in Toronto. The longtime couple’s personal relationship provided a magical mix of humour and banter that endeared audiences around the world to their onscreen collaborations, including HGTV shows Chic with Steven and Chris, Design Rivals and Designer Guys as well as Steven and Chris, which launched on CBC-TV in 2008.
CBC had temporarily pulled Steven and Chris, which was running in repeats for the summer, from the schedule after Hyndman’s death.
The public broadcaster will air episodes of Murdoch Mysteries in the Steven and Chris afternoon slot “while we explore new options for our daytime schedule,” CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said Friday.
Hyndman is survived by Sabados, his mother Glenda Hyndman, his father Ted Purnell and a large extended family of relatives and friends.
Following Hyndman’s death, the family requested people make donations to two charities offering emergency shelter: The Red Door and The Tommy Sexton Shelter.
Fans and colleagues descended on the CBC headquarters in Toronto to leave messages, mementoes and flowers at a memorial set up in the building’s atrium earlier this month.